Abstract: A weather station for measuring and indicating weather conditions, comprises a casing having a display and an electronic operating circuit in the casing for operation. The operating circuit has sensors for sensing atmospheric parameters e.g., temperature, pressure, and humidity, and a memory storing literal weather messages pertinent to the atmospheric parameters. Also included is a control unit programmed to determine degrees of the atmospheric parameters sensed by the sensors and then to retrieve weather messages corresponding to the degrees and display the messages on the display.

Abstract: A system for determining a relative value of at least one patent includes: a database configured to store at least one factor for calculating a Z score for the at least one patent; a database for storing at least one received subjective factor relevant to the at least one patent; a first computer program product configured to calculate a Z score based on the at least one factor; a second computer program product configured to modify the Z score based on the at least one subjective factor, thereby obtaining a modified Z score; and a third computer program product configured to output the modified Z score.

Abstract: A method for matching advertisements with broadcasts includes: receiving at least one characteristic of an advertisement into a pool of available advertisements; searching the pool of available advertisements for a broadcasting match to the at least one characteristic; and signaling that the advertisement matches the at least one characteristic. Another method includes: receiving at least one characteristic of a broadcast into a pool of available broadcasts; searching the pool of available broadcasts for an advertising match to the at least one characteristic; and signaling that the broadcast matches the at least one characteristic. A system includes: a database containing information related to at least one of a broadcast and an advertisement; a search engine to search the database based on at least one characteristic received; and a signal that the at least one characteristic matches at least one of the at least one broadcast and at least one advertisement.

Abstract: A system of accounting is provided for an intellectual property trust that manages multiple intellectual property accounts and assets. The system provides for the allocation of new intellectual property assets to the trust and a determination of a unit value of those intellectual property assets. The system further provides for the entry of a transaction of those assets and a determination of the unit value of that transaction. The unit value of the transaction is posted to the unit values of the intellectual property assets and of the account. By comparing the unit value of the intellectual property assets and the account, a determination of the shareholdings of the beneficiaries in the corpus is made.

Abstract: A vibrational alarm device for use in combination with an alarm clock, includes a receiver for receiving a RF alarm signal transmitted by the alarm clock, an operating circuit for providing an operating signal in response to the receiver receiving the alarm signal, and an electromechanical vibrator for vibration in response to the operating signal provided by the operating circuit. A casing houses the receiver, the operating circuit, and the vibrator for vibration by the vibrator to provide a vibrational alarm signal.

Abstract: An objective that is a concave lens and an ocular that is a convex lens are arranged in a finder housing with a predetermined space between them. The finder housing is molded of a black plastic material. A diaphragm portion is integrally formed inside an inner peripheral portion of the finder housing and between the objective and the ocular. The diaphragm portion is formed to be as large as a lens portion of the ocular. The diaphragm portion serves to block unwanted reflected light.

Abstract: A waterproof audio player comprises a body having a casing and a lid closing the casing in a sealed manner, the casing and the lid including respective inner walls confronting each other. An audio playing module in the casing includes a phone jack located on the inner wall of the casing. There is also an earphone including an electrical plug fixed inside the lid. The plug has an electrical connector which projects from the inner wall of the lid and is aligned with the phone jack for insertion into the phone jack upon the lid closing the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for funding a future liability of uncertain cost which includes: considering the present cost of a liability and the projected due date of the future liability; estimating the future liability of uncertain cost; and administering a trust in a manner that reduces the uncertain cost of the future liability. The estimation of the future liability may be based on the expected due date of the liability and the escalation rate of the liability associated with a specified index. Administering the trust may include issuing floating rate zero coupon notes to generate trust assets and investing those assets in a manner that reduces the uncertainty of the cost of the future liability.

Abstract: Pawls are formed on an outer peripheral portion of an operation dial at intervals equal to step rotating angles of the operation dial so that a user's finger nail can be placed on one of the pawls to rotate the dial. When the finger nail is placed on one of the pawls to rotate the operation dial, the finger nail placed on that pawl abuts against a stopper provided on a camera main body. Thus, rotation of the operation dial is stopped at each step rotating angle.

Abstract: When a wheel is rotated, first inclined portions of end surface cams provided on the wheel push corresponding cam followers formed on a movable cylinder. Accordingly, the movable cylinder holding a photographing lens is extended. Then, when each of the cam followers reaches a first flat portion of the corresponding end surface cam, the movable cylinder is placed in a photographing position. In the photographing position, when the wheel is further rotated, the cam follower is pushed by a second inclined portion of the end surface cam. The movable cylinder is thus extended. Then, when the cam follower reaches a second flat portion of the corresponding end surface cam, the movable cylinder is placed in a macro photographing position.

Abstract: A global animation system includes: a pool of reusable characteristics for at least one character or feature; and a pool of available artists, wherein a member of the pool of available artists selects at least one reusable characteristic from the pool of reusable characteristics to create a character or feature. A method for managing an animation project includes: obtaining an animation project; disassembling the animation project into at least one individual task; assigning the at least one individual task to an artist, wherein the artist completes the at least one individual task using at least one characteristic stored in a pool of reusable characteristics.

Abstract: A weather station (100) for indicating weather conditions, comprises a casing (110) having a screen (120) and an internal electronic operating circuit (90). The operating circuit (90) includes at least one sensor (70) for sensing an atmospheric parameter and a microprocessor (80) for ascertaining a weather condition based on the sensed atmospheric parameter and indicating the weather condition on the screen (120). The operating circuit (90) includes a memory (60) which stores several sets of images, each set representing a corresponding variation of the weather condition, for selection by the microprocessor (80) to indicate the weather condition in the variation as ascertained in an animated representation.

Abstract: A radio controlled clock includes a main unit and interchangeable antenna modules. The main unit includes an operating circuit and contacts. The circuit has a CPU and decoders for decoding RF time signals having different carrier frequencies received by the modules. The decoders are connected to the contacts. Each module has a body connectable to main unit body, an operating circuit, and contacts connectable to the contacts of the main unit when a module is connected to the main unit. The circuit of the main body includes a receiver tuned to receive a RF time signal having a specific carrier frequency broadcast in a particular country and sends the signal received, via the contacts to a decoder, enabling the CPU to display the local time on a display.